Device for protection against enemy fire

ABSTRACT

A protective shield device with one or more holes including covers through which a user may use a weapon such as, but not limited to a pistol, rifle, stun gun, etc. The device may enable law enforcement or military personnel to discharge a weapon through a hole while remaining completely behind the protective shield. This may give the user total protection from enemy fire even while firing a weapon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING PROVIDED AS A TEXT FILE

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to personalprotective gear. More particularly, certain embodiments of the inventionrelate to a hole in a protective shield with a cover.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. It isbelieved that military personnel and law enforcement officers may havelittle protection when engaging in enemy fire in open areas. Suchdangerous conditions may result in the military or law enforcementpersonnel getting injured or killed. These individuals may be inparticular danger of injury to the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and/orhands when using conventional bullet proof protective gear (vests,shields etc.).

By way of educational background, an aspect of the related technologygenerally useful to be aware of is that some currently available meansfor protection may be shields. Some of these protective shields may behand held and others may be able to stand on their own. Typically, withthe use of a defensive protective shield, the individual must reacharound the shield to engage in offensive fire, which may expose portionsof his body such as, but not limited to, the head, neck, shoulder, arm,and hand to enemy fire. Some protective shields may be used as anoffensive device by attaching a firearm to a portion of the shield.Since the firearm is typically mounted to the shield in a permanentfashion in such devices, the position of the firearm may not be optimalin all applications. In addition, the user may be limited to only usingthe permanently mounted firearm. Furthermore, if the user needs todiscard the shield, for example to pursue an offender, the user may needto carry another weapon. One may expect that when shooting the attachedfirearm using the gun sights, the weapon sights may be impaired by theattached shield. Moreover, a portion of the user's body may be past theedge of the shield and exposed to harm. Some currently availableprotective shields may comprise a hole or slot into which a firearm maybe inserted. This opening in the shield may result in exposing the userto harm when the firearm is removed from the opening. The opening whenthe weapon is inserted may allow a projectile to pass through theprotective shield when engaging in offensive fire (gap between weaponand shield). some of the protective shields have a cover that whenweapon is inserted greatly reduces the view of the sights and of theassailant.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an exemplary protective shield with ahole into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a rear diagrammatic viewof the protective shield. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of theshield with a handgun inserted into the hole, and FIG. 1C is a rearperspective view of the shield with the handgun inserted into the hole;

FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate exemplary holes in shields that may fitspecific types of weapons, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2A is a rear diagrammatic view of a shield witha hole that may fit a rifle. FIG. 2B is a rear diagrammatic view of ashield with a hole that may fit a pistol or handgun.

FIG. 2C is a rear diagrammatic view of a shield with a hole that may fita shotgun or machine gun, and FIG. 2D is a rear diagrammatic view of ashield with a hole that may fit a stun gun;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary cover for a hole in a protectiveshield, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.3A is a front perspective view of the cover in a closed position, andFIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the cover in an open position;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary self-closing cover for a hole ina protective shield, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the cover in an openposition, and FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the cover in aclosed position;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an exemplary cover for a hole in ashield, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an exemplary interlocking cover for a hole ina shield, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6A is a front perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a top diagrammaticview;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an exemplary insert being placed ina hole in a protective shield, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate exemplary inserts made to acceptdifferent weapons, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an insert made toaccept a rifle. FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of an insert made toaccept a shotgun or machine gun. FIG. 8C is a front perspective view ofan insert made to accept a handgun or pistol. FIG. 8D is a frontperspective view of an insert made to accept a stun gun;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an exemplary insert being placedin a hole in a protective shield, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shieldwith a hole into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an exemplary protective shield with a holeinto which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 11A is a rear perspective view of the shieldbeing used by a user while in a kneeling position, and FIG. 11B is arear perspective view of the shield being used by the user while in astanding position;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shieldwith multiple holes into which weapons may be inserted, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A through 13C illustrate an exemplary protective shield withmultiple holes into which weapons may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a rear perspective viewof shield in a vertical position. FIG. 13B is a rear perspective view ofshield in a horizontal position, and FIG. 13C is a side perspective viewof shield being used in the horizontal position;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an exemplary protective shieldwith a hole into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shieldwith a hole into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an exemplary protective shield with a holeinto which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 16A is a rear perspective view of the shieldwith a cover in a closed position, and FIG. 16B is a rear perspectiveview of the shield with the cover in an open position;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an exemplary protective shield with holesinto which weapons may be inserted, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 17A is a rear perspective view of theshield, and FIG. 17B is a front perspective view of a flashlight adapterthat may be attached to the shield;

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an exemplary camouflage cover for aprotective shield, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 18A is a rear perspective view, and FIG. 18B is a frontperspective view; and

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of an exemplary protective intowhich a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settle law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognize in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. §112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter,” see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”includes the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, aregenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, or interaction with,some aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from includingadditional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of” where one of these three terms is used herein, thepresently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use ofeither of the other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwiseexplicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by“consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, andthus, for the purposes of claim support and construction for “consistingof” format claims, such replacements operate to create yet otheralternative embodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elementsrecited in the original “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of allother elements.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide a protective shieldwith one or more holes with covers through which a user may use a weaponsuch as, but not limited to a pistol, rifle, stun gun, etc. Someembodiments may enable law enforcement or military personnel todischarge weapons through a hole while remaining completely behind theprotective shield. This may give the user total protection from enemyfire even while firing a weapon.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an exemplary protective shield 100 with ahole 105 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a rear diagrammatic viewof protective shield 100. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of shield100 with a handgun 110 inserted into a porthole or hole 105, and FIG. 1Cis a rear perspective view of shield 100 with handgun 110 inserted intohole 105. In the present embodiment, hole 105 may be molded into shield100 when manufactured or may be machined into shield 100 after shield100 is formed. Protective shield 100 may be made of a solid bulletproofmaterial with a clear bulletproof sight window 115 material. It iscontemplated that some embodiments may be made of various differentmaterials such as, but not limited to, bullet resistant material, riottype material, non-bullet resistant material, etc. In the presentembodiment, hole 105 may be located just under sight window 115 in themiddle of shield 100. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, this positioning ofhole 105 may typically enable the user to use the sites on a weapon suchas, but not limited to, handgun 110 for improved accuracy when shooting.Referring to FIG. 1A, shield 100 may comprise a plate 120 to hold ahandle 125 and an arm strap 130 that may be used to secure shield to auser. Plate 120 may be reversible for use by right-handed andleft-handed users. Arm strap 130 may be made adjustable using amultiplicity of suitable means including, but not limited to, hook andloop material, snaps, buttons, hooks, elastic, etc. Some embodiments maybe implemented with a non-reversible handle plate or without a handleplate. In some embodiments handles may be attached directly to theshield. In the present embodiment, plate 120 may be placed just underhole 105 and may extend out from shield 100 so that the user's shootinghand may be able to rest on the forearm secured by arm strap 130 forbetter shooting accuracy.

In the present embodiment, hole 105 may be made to fit specific weaponssuch as, but not limited to, handguns, rifles, stun guns, etc.Alternatively, porthole or hole 105 may be made to fit a variety ofweapons or may be configured to accept multiple insert tools that aremade to fit various different weapons. Some embodiments may comprisecovers for the holes that may be self-closing or manual closing asdescribed by way of example below. In some embodiments holes similar toporthole or hole 105 may be incorporated into shields of many differentsizes and types including, but not limited to, small, medium and largeshields, portable and stationary shields, rotating and moving shields,bulletproof and non-bulletproof shields, round shields, etc.

In typical use of the present embodiment, shield 100 may be used whenprotection is needed from enemy fire. A weapon may be pushed thru hole105 to engage in offensive fire typically with little risk of danger tothe user. When the weapon is removed from hole 105 a manual orself-closing cover may block hole 105 so that shield 100 may betterprotect the user. The user may also use the weapon without shield 100 byremoving the weapon from hole 105 and shooting in any direction quickly.The present embodiment may be used by various different individualsincluding, without limitation, law enforcement personnel, firstresponders, SWAT, police officers, TSA agents, FBI agents, CIA agents,military personnel, etc.

FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate exemplary holes in shields that may fitspecific types of weapons, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2A is a rear diagrammatic view of a shield 200with a hole 205 that may fit a rifle. FIG. 2B is a rear diagrammaticview of a shield 210 with a hole 215 that may fit a pistol or handgun.FIG. 2C is a rear diagrammatic view of a shield 220 with a hole 225 thatmay fit a shotgun or machine gun, and FIG. 2D is a rear diagrammaticview of a shield 230 with a hole 235 that may fit a stun gun. In theseembodiments, holes 205, 215, 225, and 235 may be configured to snuglyfit around the weapon so that shields 200, 210, 220, and 230 maytypically remain bullet resistant while a weapon is inserted. Holes 205,215, 225, and 235 may each comprise a nonabrasive inner edge, which mayhelp prevent scratches to the outer finish of the weapons. Those skilledin the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance withthe teachings of the present invention, that the shapes and sizes of theholes in some alternate embodiments may vary to accommodate a wide rangeof weapons, including square shape, rectangular shape, circular,half-circular shape, U-shape, etc.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary cover 300 for a hole 305 in aprotective shield, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of cover 300 in a closedposition, and FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of cover 300 in anopen position. In the present embodiment, cover 300 may be attached tothe shield at a pivot point 310. A user may rotate cover 300 aroundpivot point 310 to move cover 300 between the open and closed positions.A channel 315 may hold cover 300 in place in the closed position, and astop 320 may limit the rotation of cover 300 when in the open position.It is contemplated that covers in some embodiments may be made invarious different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a multiplicity ofsuitable means for opening and closing the covers may be used such as,but not limited to, hinges, sliding mechanisms, iris mechanisms, etc. Inthe present embodiment, cover 300 may be installed on the outer side ofthe shield or the inner side of the shield. Cover 300 may be made ofbulletproof glass or other types of bullet resistant material.

In typical use of the present embodiment, a user may have cover 300closed when using the shield as a defensive device. Then, if the userneeds to use a weapon, he may open cover 300 and insert the weapon intohole 305 to fire the weapon. In addition to protecting the user frombullets fired from afar, cover 300 may also typically prevent anassailant from putting his weapon thru hole 305 from the opposite sideof the shield to engage in fire with the user or attempt to cut orotherwise injure the user.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary self-closing cover 400 for ahole 405 in a protective shield, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of cover 400 inan open position, and FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of cover 400in a closed position. In the present embodiment, cover 400 may beattached to the shield by a manual or self-closing hinge 410 mounteddirectly to the shield. Hinge 410 may be spring-loaded to hold cover 400in the closed position. In typical use of the present embodiment, whencover 400 is closed, the shield may typically be used as a defensivedevice. For offensive operation, a user may insert a weapon through hole405, which may typically push cover 400 open. When the weapon is removedfrom hole 405 the spring in hinge 410 may cause cover 400 to return tothe closed position. It is contemplated that various differentself-closing mechanisms may be used in some alternate embodiments suchas, but not limited to, elastic materials, magnets, gravity, etc.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that covers insome embodiments may be made in a multiplicity of suitable shapes andsizes and may be attached to the shield in various different ways. Thefollowing figures are non-limiting examples of such embodiments. FIG. 5is a front perspective view of an exemplary cover 500 for a hole 505 ina shield, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe present embodiment cover 500 may be attached with a hinge 510 to theshield vertically just below a sight window 515. Cover 500 may bemanually operated or self-closing. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate anexemplary interlocking cover 600 for a hole 605 in a shield, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is afront perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a top diagrammatic view. In thepresent embodiment, cover 600 comprises a left portion 610 and a rightportion 615, each of which are notched to typically fit togethersmoothly. Left portion 610 and right portion 615 may be attached to theshield by hinges 620. Cover 600 may be manually operated orself-closing.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an exemplary insert 700 beingplaced in a hole 705 in a protective shield, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, hole 705may be made rectangular in shape so that different inserts for differentweapons may be installed in the shield. This may enable the shield toaccept a wide variety of weapons. Insert 700 may be configured to accepta pistol or handgun. In some alternate embodiments inserts and the holesmay be made in different shapes including, but not limited to, circularinserts. In the present embodiment, insert 700 may comprise anonabrasive inner edge as typically prevent scratching of the weapon'souter finish. In some embodiments a protective molding may be locatedinside the hole of the inserts. These moldings may be made of amultiplicity of suitable nonabrasive materials such as, but not limitedto, plastic, rubber, foam, etc. In the present embodiment, insert 700may be installed by first placing insert 700 into hole. Then, a fastenerplate 710 may be attached to both the shield and the insert 700 forexample, without limitation, with bolts or screws In alternateembodiments the insert may comprise a flange that may be attached to theshield rather than a separate fastener plate. In other alternateembodiments, the inserts may be adhered or welded directly to the shieldwithout the use of fasteners. It is contemplated that previouslymanufactured shields may be modified to accept such inserts, or shieldsmay be manufactured with holes meant to accept such inserts.

FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate exemplary inserts made to acceptdifferent weapons, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an insert 800 made toaccept a rifle. FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of an insert 805made to accept a shotgun or machine gun. FIG. 8C is a front perspectiveview of an insert 810 made to accept a handgun or pistol. FIG. 8D is afront perspective view of an insert 815 made to accept a stun gun. Thoseskilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention, that inserts may be madewith holes of varying shapes and sizes to accommodate a wide variety ofweapons. The inserts outer edges can also be varying in shapes such as,but not limited to square, rectangle or oval.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an exemplary insert 900 beingplaced in a hole 905 in a protective shield, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, insert900 may be secured to the shield by a fastening plate 910 with a cover915. Cover 915 may be attached to fastening plate 910 by a hinge 920.Hinge 920 may be self-closing or manually operated. It is contemplatedthat in some embodiments covers may be attached to fastening plates indifferent location, for example, without limitation, vertically to theside of the plate. Furthermore, in some embodiments covers may beattached directly to the inserts.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shield1000 with a hole 1005 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,protective shield 1000 may be made of clear bullet resistant material sothat a sight window is not needed. Shield 1000 comprises a handle 1010and a strap 1015 for the forearm. Shield 1000 may also comprise a coverfor hole 1005. Hole 1005 may be configured to accept inserts formed tofit various different types of weapons. In some embodiments the outeredge of a clear shield may be surrounded by a plastic or rubber trim.The trim is designed to prevent the shield from chipping and cracking ofthe clear shield when coming in contact with hard objects also toprevent marring of other objects it comes in contact with the shield.Handle 1010 may be located just under hole 1005 so that when a weapon isinserted into hole 1005 the shooting hand may rest on the non-shootinghand for stability. Shield 1000 may be small enough in size to enableusers to carry shield while in use. For example, without limitation,shield may be used by police officers walking the streets or militarypersonnel while in the field. In addition, shield 1000 may be strappedto the back or mounted to a backpack frame for military use in the fieldor mounted behind the seat or to the ceiling in a police car for easyaccess.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an exemplary protective shield 1100 with ahole 1105 into which a weapon 1110 may be inserted, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a rear perspectiveview of shield 1100 being used by a user 1115 while in a kneelingposition, and FIG. 11B is a rear perspective view of shield 1100 beingused by user 1115 while in a standing position. In the presentembodiment, shield 1100 is shown as a solid shield with a sight window1120. An optional handle 1125 can be added below a main handle 1130which may or may not be connected to a reversible plate. Optional handle1125 may give user 1115 greater control of shield 1100 when shield 1100is used to subdue an assailant. In typical use of the presentembodiment, user 1115 may remain completely behind shield 1100 whileengaging in offensive fire by inserting weapon 1110 into hole 1105rather than reaching around shield 1100.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shield1200 with multiple holes 1205 into which weapons may be inserted, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment, shield 1200 may be a large clear shield. A handle plate1210, which may or may not be reversible, may be attached to shield1200. Holes 1200 may be configured to accept inserts and may be coveredby manual or self-closing covers. The inclusion of multiple holes 1205may enable a user to aim a weapon from different positions or may enablemultiple users to use shield 1200 at the same time.

FIGS. 13A through 13C illustrate an exemplary protective shield 1300with multiple holes 1305 into which weapons may be inserted, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is arear perspective view of shield 1300 in a vertical position. FIG. 13B isa rear perspective view of shield 1300 in a horizontal position, andFIG. 13C is a side perspective view of shield 1300 being used in thehorizontal position. In the present embodiment, shield 1300 may be alarge, clear shield with three holes 1305, which may enable up to threeusers to use shield 1300 at the same time. Referring to FIG. 13A, shield1300 can be made to be freestanding in the vertical position usingvertical telescoping bracing rods 1310. Vertical bracing rods 1310 maycollapse against shield in a closed position 1315 when not in use.Referring to FIG. 13B, shield 1300 can be held in the horizontalposition by horizontal telescoping bracing rods 1320. Horizontal bracingrods 1320 may be collapsed into a closed position 1325 when not in use.Bracing rods 1310 and 1320 may be attached to shield 1300 by a quickattach screw, similar to a screw in a gun stock to hold a quick attachsling, that may be swivel mounted to shield 1300. Bracing rods 1310 and1320 may be able to adjust to different lengths and angles forpositioning shield 1300 on uneven surfaces. This may be important whenused in the field. Referring to FIG. 13C, to engage in long rangeshooting, a user 1330 may lay down with a rifle 1335 placed through oneof holes 1305 with shield 1300 in the horizontal position. In the layingposition, user 1330 may remain completely behind shield 1300.Furthermore, the clear material of shield 1300 may enable user 1330 touse any sights on rifle 1335 for aiming.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an exemplary protective shield1400 with a hole 1405 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,shield 1400 is a solid shield with a sight window 1410. A user 1415 isshown in a kneeling position with a rifle 1420 inserted through hole1405.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary protective shield1500 with a hole 1505 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodimentshield 1500 comprises a large hole 1510 with a cover. A user may be ableto insert his hand into large hole 1510 to open doors, to give ticketsto potentially dangerous people, or to perform other such actions. Thecover on large hole 1510 may be self-closing or manually operated may bemay mounted to the inside or outside of shield 1500. In otherembodiments such large holes may be implemented in various differenttypes of shields including, but not limited to, large shields, smallshields, clear shields, solid shields, etc.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an exemplary protective shield 1600 with ahole 1605 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A is a rear perspective viewof shield 1600 with a cover 1610 in a closed position, and FIG. 16B is arear perspective view of shield 1600 with cover 1610 in an openposition. In the present embodiment, cover may block both hole 1605 anda portion of a sight window 1615 to help protect sight window 1615 fromdangerous objects that can distort the sight window when hit such as,but not limited to, bullets, knives, shrapnel, blunt objects, etc. Cover1610 may be self-closing or manually operated. Some embodiments maycomprise a cover that blocks the entire sight window when weapon ispushed thru porthole opening full view of sight window is obtained.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an exemplary protective shield 1700 withholes 1705 into which weapons may be inserted, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17A is a rear perspective viewof shield 1700, and FIG. 17B is a front perspective view of a flashlightadapter 1710 that may be attached to shield 1700. In the presentembodiment, referring to FIG. 17A, one or more quick attach flashlightadapters 1710 may be added to various locations on shield 1700 to enableflashlights to be used in a hands-free manner in low light conditions.Referring to FIG. 17B, flashlight adapter 1710 may comprise a bracket1715 into which a flashlight 1720 may be inserted and a clamp 1725 thatmay enable adapter 1710 to be attached to shield 1700. It iscontemplated that various different attachment means may be used toattach flashlight adapters to shield in alternate embodiments such as,but not limited to, different types of clamps, bolts, screws, welding,adhesives, etc.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an exemplary camouflage cover 1800 for aprotective shield 1805, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 18A is a rear perspective view, and FIG. 18B is a frontperspective view. In the present embodiment, camouflage cover 1800 maybe removably attached to shield 1805 at an inside edge 1815 usingvarious different means including, without limitation, hook and loopmaterial, snaps, hooks, etc. Some embodiments may be implemented with apermanent camouflage cover or with a camouflage design incorporated intothe shield itself.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of an exemplary protective shield1900 with a hole 1905 into which a weapon may be inserted, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,shield 1900 comprises a blanket shield 1910 attached to a clear or solidshield 1915. Blanket shield 1910 may be a multi-layer, bullet resistant,carpet type material. Blanket shield 1910 is shown extended and can berolled up when not needed. Blanket shield may be permanently orremovably attached to shield 1915. When needed, blanket shield 1910 maybe attached to the bottom of shield 1915 or unrolled to typicallyprovide protection to the lower extremities of a user.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that someembodiments may comprise a multiplicity of suitable additional andalternate features such as, but not limited to, shoulder straps, hingesfor connecting two or more shields to create a bulletproof strong holdfor defensive and offensive cover, radio brackets, etc. Furthermore,holes meant for the insertion of weapons with self-closing or manualcovers may be installed in various different locations where protectionfrom enemy fire may be needed including, but not limited to, armoredcars, tanks, police vehicles, stationary protective dwellings,government buildings, etc.

It is contemplated that some embodiments of the present invention may beused with many different types of weapons including, but not limited to,rifles, pistols, hand guns, shotguns, stun guns, military weapons, etc.Weapons can be kept on or near a user to be used when needed fordifferent situations. Typically, weapons can be changed quickly to adaptto changing conditions and different shooting necessities. Persons canuse some embodiments to better assess the danger of a situation withlimited risk of personal harm because of the protection of the shield.These persons may be able to make more rational decisions knowing theyare typically safe form harm while contemplating what to do next. If theuser chooses to use non-lethal force, a stun gun can be used even if theoffender is using a gun or other deadly weapon. Many embodiments mayenable a user to take a precise aim when shooting rather than firing ina rapid and inaccurate manner. For example, compare a hunter with buckfever (uncontrollable shaking due to adrenaline rush). The hunter moreoften than not misses the target completely. a hunter who is calm andconfident more often than not hits the target.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a hole in aprotective shield with a cover according to the present invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of theinvention have been described above by way of illustration, and thespecific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the inventionto the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of theholes in protective shields may vary depending upon the particularcontext or application. By way of example, and not limitation, theshields described in the foregoing were principally directed to lawenforcement and military implementations; however, similar techniquesmay instead be applied to hunting applications or recreationalapplications such as, but not limited to, paintball, whichimplementations of the present invention are contemplated as within thescope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood thatnot all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification willnecessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, orimprovements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a shield implement, whereinsaid shield implement comprises a bulletproof shield configured toprotect a user from enemy fire; a sight window section disposed on saidshield implement; a porthole section, said porthole section isconfigured to accept a weapon, in which said porthole section comprisinga nonabrasive inner edge configured to prevent scratching an outerfinish of said weapon when said weapon is pushed through said portholeto engage in an offensive fire; and a cover component mounted to saidshield implement, wherein said cover component is configured to coversaid porthole section when said weapon is removed from said portholesection.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a handle portion,wherein said handle portion is configured for carrying said shieldimplement.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a plate portion,wherein said plate portion is configured to attach said handle portionto said shield implement.
 4. The device of claim 3, further comprisingan adjustable strap portion, wherein said strap portion and said handleportion is configured for adjustably securing said shield implement to auser.
 5. The device of claim 4, further comprising an insert tool,wherein said insert tool is configured to fit in said porthole section,and wherein said insert tool being configured to fit different weaponsthrough said porthole section.
 6. The device of claim 1, in which saidshield implement further comprises at least a rectangular and concaveshaped shield.
 7. The device of claim 4, in which said sight windowsection comprises at least a clear bulletproof sight window.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, in which said porthole section comprises at least oneof a square shape, a rectangular shape, half-circular shape, and U-shapeporthole section.
 9. The device of claim 1, in which said porthole covercomponent comprises a self-closing hinge mounted to said shieldimplement.
 10. The device of claim 9, in which said self-closing hingecomprises a spring-loaded hinge configured to hold said porthole covercomponent in a closed position.
 11. The device of claim 4, in which saidporthole section comprises a U-shaped hole section.
 12. The device ofclaim 11, in which said cover component comprises a pivot point, whereinsaid cover implement is configured for rotating around said pivot pointto move said cover implement between an open and a close position. 13.The device of claim 12, in which said cover component further comprisesa channel segment configured to hold said cover implement in said closeposition.
 14. The device of claim 13, in which said cover componentfurther comprises a stop segment configured to limit a rotation of saidcover implement when in said open position.
 15. The device of claim 1,in which said cover component comprises a left portion and a rightportion attached to said shield implement by hinges, each of which arenotched to typically fit together in a close position.
 16. The device ofclaim 5, in which said porthole section further comprising a rectangularshaped hole, and in which said insert tool comprises a fastening plateconfigured to secure said insert tool to said shield implement, andwherein said cover component is configured to attach to said fasteningplate by a hinge.
 17. A device comprising: means for protecting a userfrom enemy fire; means, disposed on said protecting means, for allowinga user to see through said protecting means; means for accepting aweapon to engage in an offensive fire, wherein said accepting means isconfigured to prevent scratches to an outer finish of a weapon when saidweapon is pushed through said accepting means; means for covering saidaccepting means when said weapon is removed from said accepting means;means for carrying said protecting means; and means for adjustablysecuring said protecting means to a user.
 18. The device of claim 17,further comprising a means configured for fitting different weaponsthrough said accepting means.
 19. A device comprising: a shieldimplement, wherein said shield implement comprises a bulletproof shieldconfigured to protect a user from enemy fire; a sight window sectiondisposed on said shield implement; a porthole section configured toaccept a weapon, said porthole section comprising a nonabrasive inneredge configured to prevent scratches to an outer finish of said weaponwhen said weapon is pushed through said porthole to engage in offensivefire; and a cover component mounted to said shield implement, whereinsaid cover component is configured to cover said porthole section whensaid weapon is removed from said porthole section. a handle portionconfigured for carrying said shield implement. an adjustable strapportion, wherein said strap portion and said handle portion isconfigured for adjustably securing said shield implement to a user. 20.The device of claim 19, in which said porthole section comprises atleast one of a square shape, a rectangular shape, half-circular shapeporthole section, in which said porthole cover component comprises aself-closing hinge mounted to said shield implement, and in which saidself-closing hinge comprises a spring-loaded hinge configured to holdsaid porthole cover component in a closed position.